[EmpireWF]

Announced about an ago, the Mets traded RP Jorge Julio to the Arizona Diamondbacks for SP "El Duque" Orlando Hernandez.

Julio's stats...1-2, 1 save, 5.06 ERA, 33 K, 10 BB, 21.1 IP, 21 H, 1.45 WHIP

El Duque's stats...2-4, 6.11 ERA, 52 K, 20 BB, 45 IP

Mets needed someone to fill in the back of the rotation for the time being and El Duque has done well in New York in the past. He's a vet who, no coincidence, will join fellow Cuban defector, Alay Soler in the rotation.

Julio just won't be successful in the bigs as long as he can't develop a good off-speed pitch that he has as much confidence in as his heater. Not a great movie, not a bad move...a decent move.

[Lefty Noob]

I can see El Duque as a good #5 or spot starter for them. He's an inning eater and a veteran, and while his stuff's nowhere near where it was in his prime, he should be a solid contributor for the Mets and a good mentor for Soler.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I can see El Duque as a good #5 or spot starter for them. He's an inning eater and a veteran, and while his stuff's nowhere near where it was in his prime, he should be a solid contributor for the Mets and a good mentor for Soler.

Yeah, his bigger role will be as a bi brother for Soler...didn't he play that role with the younger Contreras in Chicago?

[legend]

If the Mets got a bag of balls and a fungo bat for Julio it would be like stealing. Addition by subtraction. El Duque will get bombed and then be released by year's end.

[ThePundit]

This is a good trade for the Mets. Julio was a disaster and they need somone to give them 6 innings a game. Remember too that Arizona is a band box and Shea is a pitcher's park.

[MJHMarc]

I hope you guys all realize that this trade is really...

Kris Benson for Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez.

Even as much as I like "El Duque" I would've been happier with Kris Benson (not to mention that Benson is doing amazing this year).

At least Omar Minaya did his job and made the best decision at this point for the organization. I couldn't stand to watch Jorge Julio raise his ERA once more this season. Wasn't it as high as 27.00 this season?

[EmpireWF]

Obviously we'd take Kris Benson over all the other possibilities but that was last year.

El Duque brings toughness in two key spots...ability to pitch in NY and ability to pitch in the playoffs. Mets need both qualities in any pitcher.

Also bringing him aboard, the Mets have a pretty good amount of starters. Past the top three...there's Soler, Bannister, Maine, Duque, Jeremi Gonzalez and this way, Pelfrey can stay in Binghampton and fine tune his curve.

[MJHMarc]

Soler had a nice major league debut last night. His statistics are below!

NY Mets IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Soler 6.0 5 3 2 4 5 0 3.00

El Duque is known for his contorted pitching style. He doesn't really throw the heat (90+ MPH) but has great control over all his pitches. Hernandez also shows up big in important games (otherwise known as the Playoffs). Injuries have become a concern but this mid-late rotation starter has the potential of becoming a hero in New York (again).

[EmpireWF]

Soler did pretty damn good in his MLB debut. The first inning, he started out with the nerves (and understandbly so) but he was able to get himself under control. He has a nice array of pitches and great control, I love his slider. Can't wait to watch him pitch next week.

El Duque is slated to pitch Sunday against the Marlins but that could change.

[MJHMarc]

Thanks, EmpireWF. I will be looking forward to watching him make his Mets-debut against their division rivals. I am sure that he will do a better job this season than Jorge Julio. Plus, the Mets are in desperate need for a player like him to boost their team's value and confidence.

[ThePundit]

Benson's trade wasn't baseball related. Fred Wilpon was sick of Anna Benson opening her trap. The final straw was when she showed up this past winter to the Mets holiday party with little kids in attendance in a slutty Santa outfit. Check it out:
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseba...bigpix&index=3

[MJHMarc]

What do you expect from a Playboy model who slept with men for money?

I'm not going to criticize her, but she was harmful to the team chemistry. She was distracting and had no business being there. The children came to see their favorite Mets' stars, not their wives.

[MJHMarc]

In other news, Orlando Hernandez got a win in his first debut as a Met.

What are your comments about this?

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

What do you expect from a Playboy model who slept with men for money?

I'm not going to criticize her, but she was harmful to the team chemistry. She was distracting and had no business being there. The children came to see their favorite Mets' stars, not their wives.

Woah there, she never slept for money...as far as what I know of the Benson's.

But she was annoying the way she would find herself in the papers for making little comments every now and then, some involving baseball, most not though.